Holiday

This is just about one of the most exciting things I've ever done in my life. We actually got to ride an elephant! I hope I don't someday become some callused Thailand dweller who yawns in the presence of elephants, because they are amazing animals. We just returned from a vacation in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where we got our elephant fix. Petting, feeding, getting sprayed with river water from their trunks, seeing them do funny tricks...just such fun. The ride was quite an adventure. I expected Em to be terrified and possibly refuse to climb aboard, but she surprised us by hopping right on and swinging her legs, chatting merrily the entire time while Tim and I held on for dear life and I squeezed our boy so hard he cried.

I had sort of expected it to be like a pony ride, with someone holding the reins while the elephant walked in circles, but it was a trek up a muddy hillside and a steep descent that was a wee bit frightening. But all worth it in the end. At one point our driver pulled off the trail and hopped off, offering to take our picture. I was terrified at this point that the elephant was going to take off down the hill. He kept edging over toward the path, and the driver would look at him, nervously, I thought, and tap him with this little stick. He took the picture, but he cut off our heads, alas. I really didn't care; I just wanted him to get back on so we wouldn't have the life-altering experience of careening down a hillside on an unmanned elephant.

We did lots of other fun things, too, and have lots of pictures, so I think I'll post family ones today and interesting city shots in a few days...

We took tuk-tuks all over the city. This is the one we hired to take us to the zoo and drive us around there, as it's a hilly place and very spread out, so you really need a vehicle to see it in any sort of timely fashion. Tuk-tuks are like glorified go-carts that speed around the city making lots of noise and putting out massive amounts of exhaust. It was fun to see the children enjoy the experience...the little adventurers.
Our other mode of transport was the song taew, a truck with a covered bed fitted with two benches where passengers sit. Here we are zooming up the mountain, Doi Suthep.

This is the temple on Doi Suthep. Quite a grand place, full of many beautiful people and sights, and a great place to pray for this beautiful country. There were so many steps leading up to it, as you can see in the picture- the dragon tails stretch up quite a long way. We were worn out when we got to the top!

The boys at the Doi Suthep temple.

Okay, a few more shots without narration, so as to not bore you to death...

Lizard Hunter Part II

Success!

He's a little guy, but we didn't even have to leave the house...he was scurrying about in the kitchen!

At the site of the capture...

A happy girl. She and Daddy even went out and caught a mosquito to feed her pet...quite a biology lesson! She named him "Lizardy", by the way- how original!

*No lizards were harmed in this process. Lizardy was given his freedom after singing his mistress to sleep, and she was happy to send him back to his mommy and daddy for the night.

Faith and Music

I took a trip downtown last week, with some friends, to the Thai Faith and Music Foundation. They provide training for those desiring to study classical Thai instruments and dance. The foundation exists to teach Thai Christians traditional art forms that can be used as they minister among their people. There might be an opportunity for a few of us to study there in the future. Here's a clip of some of the musicians and a woman performing traditional Thai dance. ~Tim

Lizard Hunter

"Mommy, I want a lizard. For a pet. In a jar."

A jar was found, and I tried to explain that I think lizards generally nap mid-afternoon, thus it would be best to wait until evening for the big hunt. But she was undeterred; it had to be now. So the hunt was on...


Mommy was right. There were simply no lizards about in the heat of the day. Reluctantly, it was decided to wait until after supper...

when Daddy could assist. True to form, Daddy was on the job. We turned on outside lights to draw them, and they really do come out of the woodwork at night, scurrying all about. Tim later mused that the neighbors must have thought him crazy with his orange butterfly-shaped net and straw broom, pouncing on the evasive little guys. They hunted for a full 45 minutes, all over the neighborhood. Bedtime came and went, and it began to rain. Tim is such a trooper.

But it was all for naught. Here is a disappointed little girl. Those critters are so FAST! But now Daddy is determined, and the hunt will be continued...

PS- Truly one of the most entertaining aspects of having a 3 year old is her ability to make some of her own wardrobe decisions. It really is such fun!

Mommy Shots

Little Mommy

Asa's first Mother's Day

The highlights of Mother's Day for me were breakfast in bed, including freshly baked chocolate chip cookies (that's my love language!) and a pizza and ice cream date with my sweet daughter. Thank you, Father, for these precious children and for my mother and others who have modeled motherhood for me. It is the most difficult thing I've ever undertaken and the greatest privilege and joy.

Mountain Mama

It's another rainy morning in Bangkok. It would seem that we've entered rainy season, as the last week and a half has brought consistent showers, sometimes downpours. Although flooding is often an issue and taxis become nonexistent when it rains, it certainly cools things off and it is beautiful...

Before the pictures, I have to share our favorite Emmy-ism from this morning. We've just finished reading Little House in the Big Woods with her, and she got quite an education in the reality of using animals for food. So this morning I was cooking bacon for breakfast and she walked downstairs and declared, "I smell pig body!"... How's that for an appetite enhancer?


Last weekend we went to a mountainous area about 4 hours northwest of Bangkok for our annual retreat with students from our English program. It was great fun for all, and definitely furthered the goal of sharing our lives. Thai people really love to play, so much of the weekend was full of the kind of games, skits and music you might imagine happening at a college retreat, but there were adults of all ages involved and having a great time. We also had two teams from the U.S. here helping, and that was a real treat. The setting was lovely- the misty mountains and River Kwai flowing by just over our little balcony.


Here's the whole group...if you look closely you can tell that many of the Thais are making peace signs with their fingers, which is standard photo etiquette!

Emmy had a grand time. She had some friends there to play with, and tromped around the mushy wet grounds in her rain boots like a little explorer. She has several times in the past week lamented the fact that we can't live at English Camp. She looks so grown up in this picture!

Here's Asa with his buddy Joshua, who is the son of our teammates Chai and Pawn. He's about a month younger than Asa. He's riding on his grandmother's back in this picture...and he is so cute!

Asa did quite a bit of riding around himself this weekend, in the sling that dear Gwen made for me before he was born and I'm still using all the time. He didn't feel completely well, so the sling was a good, snug place for him. He seems to be irresistable to everyone from friends to restaurant workers, and he frequently gets carried off when we're out and about. Usually he doesn't mind, but it was harder this weekend because he didn't feel great, and I think he's becoming a bit more attached to Mommy.

I had to include this picture, even though it's not great quality, because it shows what a handsome little boy he's turning into! On a side note, he's begun saying "mama" a lot more. I don't think he attaches it to me, but I take it quite personally nonetheless...

And finally, Tim trying his best to defy gravity. There was a ropes course that involved walking on wires and bamboo rafts and such and lots of submersion in a murky brown pond. I don't think it would pass muster with the American Association of Ropes Courses, or whoever out there regulates these things for the safety- and health-conscious. Tim finally succumbed to the inevitable, along with all the other poor souls who braved the course. Carrying a baby automatically exempts you, lucky me!